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Stage 5 Senior Ride for Training Dressage Syllabus

  • Last reviewed: 25th September 2024

Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Dressage

Learning Outcomes Table
Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria Guidance on the Content to be Learnt During Training and Sampled During Assessment Assessment Method
1. Understand the training of young horses 1.1 Explain a range of methods of training horses from birth to riding away Range = 3 or more. Methods to include:
  • Learning theory
  • Appropriate introduction of equipment and tack
  • Leading in hand
  • Lungeing
  • Long reining
  • Initial backing process
  • Using assistance
  • Field and stable care
  • In hand showing
  • Young horse evaluations
  • Travelling
 Trainer endorsement*
1.2 Explain the training of young horses May include:
  • Directional control
  • Moving forward
  • Transitions
  • Responding to the leg and rein aids
  • Rhythm
  • Bend/straightness
  • Hacking out
  • Variation of training
  • Rest periods and down time
 Trainer endorsement*
1.3 Explain the Training Scale Training Scale:
  • Rhythm
  • Suppleness/relaxation
  • Contact
  • Impulsion
  • Straightness
  • Collection
 Trainer endorsement*
2. Be able to ride safely 2.1 Maintain health, safety and welfare of horse, self and others To include:
  • Ride with consideration for other users of the school space
  • Consideration of individual horses
 Observation
3. Understand how to progress the training of a dressage horse 3.1 Describe the requirements of dressage tests from Intro to Elementary Requirements to include:
  • Content at each level
  • Progression route
  • Variations in tack and equipment
  • Different competition opportunities
 Trainer endorsement*
3.2 Analyse the effect of a range of school movements on a dressage horse’s performance Range = 2 or more. School movements to include:
  • Turn about/on the forehand
  • Leg yield
  • Shoulder fore/in
  • Pirouettes in walk
  • Counter canter
 Trainer endorsement*
3.3 Explain potential problems in the horse’s way of going and methods to overcome them Potential problems to include:
  • Irregular paces
  • Loss of balance, rhythm
  • Lack of acceptance of contact
  • Stiffness on either rein
Methods to overcome to include consideration of:
  • Choice of work
  • Choice of exercises
 Trainer endorsement*
3.4 Describe variations within the pace Variations to include:
  • The four variations within each pace
 Trainer endorsement*
3.5 Analyse the effect of transitions on a dressage horse’s performance Effect of transitions to include:
  • Developing the half halt
  • Transitions between paces
  • Transitions within the pace
  • Direct transitions for example; walk to canter
 Trainer endorsement*
3.6 Plan a work schedule for a dressage horse Work schedule to include:
  • Short (one month) and medium term (six months)
  • Fitness work for dressage horses
  • Cantering outside
 Trainer endorsement*
4. Understand how to progress the training of a show jumping horse NOT APPLICABLE FOR THIS UNIT
5. Be able to ride a trained horse in a double bridle to develop its way of going 5.1 Ride in an influential balanced position Influential balanced position to include:
  • Showing a secure balanced position whilst maintaining integrity of the aids
  • Riding forwards to a receiving rein aid with rhythm, bend and straightness within a working frame appropriate to the horse’s level of training
  • Demonstrate empathy and feel
 Observation
5.2 Evaluate the horse’s way of going in line with the Training Scale Evaluation with reference to the Training Scale. Way of going to include:
  • Pace
  • Balance
  • Gymnastic ability (movements)
  • Attitude/rideability
  • Technique
 Observation and discussion
5.3 Use exercises to develop the horse Exercises may include:
  • Dressage movements to Elementary level
  • Transitions within paces
  • Direct transitions
  • Lateral work
 Observation
5.4 Evaluate the effectiveness of the exercises carried out To include:
  • Reasoning for the selection of the work
  • Effectiveness of the work
 Observation and discussion
5.5 Justify a plan of work to develop the horse's training Plan to include:
  • Future possible work; short term (one month), medium term (six months)
  • Use of alternative work programmes which may include lungeing, hacking and outside work
  • Progression towards Medium level work
 Discussion
6. Be able to ride an inexperienced dressage horse with a view to developing its way of going 6.1 Ride in an influential balanced position Influential balanced position to include:
  • Showing a secure balanced position whilst maintaining integrity of the aids
  • Riding forwards to a receiving rein aid with rhythm, bend and straightness within a working frame appropriate to the horse’s level of training
  • Demonstrate empathy and feel
 Observation
6.2 Evaluate the horse’s way of going in line with the Training Scale Evaluation with reference to the Training Scale. Way of going to include:
  • Pace
  • Balance
  • Gymnastic ability (movements)
  • Attitude/rideability
  • Technique
 Observation and discussion
6.3 Use exercises to develop the horse’s responsiveness to the aids Exercises may include:
  • Transitions
  • School figures
  • Lateral work
  • Lengthening and shortening stride
Making reference to:
  • Suppleness
  • Impulsion
  • Straightness
 Observation
6.4 Evaluate the effectiveness of the exercises To include:
  • Reasoning for the selection of the work
  • Effectiveness of the work
 Observation and discussion
6.5 Justify a plan of work to develop the horse's training Plan to include:
  • Future possible work; short term (one month), medium term (six months)
  • Use of alternative work programmes which may include lungeing, hacking and outside work
  • Progression towards medium level work
  • Alternative venues
 Discussion
7. Be able to ride an experienced horse over show jumps up to 1.10m (3ft 7ins) with a view to developing its way of going NOT APPLICABLE FOR THIS UNIT
8. Be able to ride a horse cross country over fences up to 1m (3ft 3ins) with a view to developing its way of going NOT APPLICABLE FOR THIS UNIT
9. Be able to ride horses used for training others, with a view to developing their way of going 9.1 Ride in an influential balanced position Influential balanced position to include:
  • Maintaining a secure balanced position whilst maintaining integrity of the aids
  • Riding forwards to a receiving rein aid with rhythm, bend and straightness within a working frame appropriate to the horse’s level of training
  • Demonstrate empathy and feel
 Observation
9.2 Evaluate the horses’ way of going in line with the Training Scale Evaluation with reference to the Training Scale. Way of going to include:
  • Pace
  • Balance
  • Suppleness
  • Attitude/rideability
  • Technique
 Observation and discussion
9.3 Use exercises to develop the horses’ responsiveness to the aids As part of Unit 5: Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Dressage, exercises may include:
  • Transitions
  • School figures
  • Lateral work
  • Lengthening and shortening stride
As part of Unit 6: Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Show Jumping, exercises may include:
  • Related distances
  • Grid work
All, making reference to:
  • Suppleness
  • Impulsion
  • Straightness
 Observation
9.4 Use poles to develop the training of the horse To include:
  • Incorporation of poles into the training
  • Different exercises using poles
 Observation
9.5 Evaluate the effectiveness of the work To include:
  • Reasoning for the selection of the work
  • Effectiveness of the work
 Observation and discussion
9.6 Justify a plan of work that develops the horses’ training Plan to include:
  • Future possible work; short term (one month), medium term (six months)
  • Use of alternative work programmes which may include lungeing, hacking and outside work
 Discussion
10. Be able to ride an inexperienced horse over show jumps up to 1m (3ft 3ins) with a view to developing its way of going NOT APPLICABLE FOR THIS UNIT